Identification circuit and ic chip comprising the same

ABSTRACT

An embodiment of the present invention is an identification circuit for generating an identification number (ID). The identification circuit includes a plurality of identification cells each comprising a latch having a first output and a second output that are opposite to each other. The first output and the second output are a function of process variations of the identification circuit. A first buffer and a second buffer are provided on both sides of the latch and connected to the first output and the second output of the latch, respectively.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED U.S. APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

NAMES OF PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not applicable.

REFERENCE TO AN APPENDIX SUBMITTED ON COMPACT DISC

Not applicable.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to an integrated circuit (IC)chip, and more particularly, to an IC chip in which an identificationcircuit is inserted for generating a unique and non-alterableidentification number (ID) identifying the IC chip.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

An identification number (ID) is often desirable for many IC chips orelectronic devices. Just like DNA, the ID number can uniquely identifyan IC chip or an electronic device containing the IC chip anddistinguish it from others, thereby improving recognizability andtraceability of products. Moreover, the ID number may be used, forexample, to label RFID tags, to generate public or private keys forencryption and decryption purposes, to provide authentication, toelectronically secure electronic devices and combat IC piracy, toidentify nodes on networks, and the like. Due to the diverseapplications of the ID number, research on on-chip ID has been done withan aim to improve its reliability, stability and unclonability.

Traditional methods of providing an on-chip ID include using anon-volatile, programmable read-only memory (PROM) in the chip. Duringor after fabrication of the chip, the PROM may be programmed (burned) tostore an ID number as well as other useful manufacturing data. The IDnumber may be customized to indicate some identity information about thechip, including but not limited to, production date and location code, alot number, chip model, etc. The ID number may be read back and used forany purpose when the chip is powered on. While such a method can provideeach chip with a customized ID number to uniquely identify the chip andprovide further information about the chip, they require specialprocessing steps when manufacturing the chip and thus incur additionalcost and time expense. In addition, the ID number may be easily alteredor cloned, so it is not good for key generation or similar securityapplications.

It has been proposed to generate a unique ID number by using PhysicallyUnclonable Functions (PUFs). PUFs may be constructed in hardware, whichexhibits minimum physical variations and parameter fluctuations asresult of unpredictable stimulus applied in the manufacture thereof.PUFs are especially suitable for security applications, because they areeasy to generate but practically, they are impossible to duplicate, evenusing the exact manufacturing process to produce them. A typical exampleof PUFs is SRAM (static random access memory) PUF. An SRAM cell may bedesigned to be balanced so that it has no preferred logic state whenpower is supplied thereto. Because of mismatch originating fromfabrication process variations, each SRAM cell will assume a non-randomlogic state when power is supplied. Thus, an array of SRAM cells mayprovide a unique ID number.

A disadvantage of SRAM PUF is its insufficient stability. It is knownthat a focus of the modern technology is trying to fabricateidentical/uniform elements or circuits to achieve identical/uniformperformance. As a result, the process variations may be very small. Onthe other hand, noise from adjacent circuits or from externalenvironment may have an impact on the output of the SRAM cells.Therefore, some of the SRAM cells may have random output, causing thegenerated ID number inconstant. This has become a serious obstacle thathinders SRAM PUF from being used in on-chip ID circuits.

In addition, the SRAM cells are typically formed together with oneanother as a macro block, and a dedicated read circuit is required toread out ID bits from the macro block. The layout designer has to assignan area on the die large enough to accommodate the macro block and theread circuit. Therefore, the SRAM PUF results in a significant decreasein layout flexibility and an increase in cost.

Advantageously, the present invention can provide a simpleidentification circuit which is stable and capable of generating aunique and non-alterable ID number. In some embodiments, theidentification circuit may have a flexible layout, and it adds littlecost to the manufacture process.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of the invention provides an identification circuit includinga plurality of identification cells each of which comprises a latchhaving a first output and a second output that are opposite to eachother. The first output and the second output are a function of processvariations of the identification circuit. A first buffer and a secondbuffer are provided on both sides of the latch and connected to thefirst output and the second output of the latch, respectively.

In various embodiments of the invention, the identification cells aredispersed on an integrated circuit (IC) die. The first buffer and thesecond buffer are symmetrical to each other with respect to the latch,and the first buffer may have a same size as the second buffer. Thefirst buffer and the second buffer may have a feature size equal to orlarger than that of the latch. The first buffer may include a first CMOSinverter, and the second buffer may include a second CMOS inverter. Thefirst CMOS inverter may have a size same as the second CMOS inverter.The first CMOS inverter may have transistors of a same size as thoseincluded in the second CMOS inverter. The transistors of the first CMOSinverter may be positioned symmetrical to those of the second CMOSinverter with respect to the latch. The latch may include a third CMOSinverter and a fourth CMOS inverter that are cross-coupled with eachother, and the third CMOS inverter and the fourth CMOS inverter may havea same size.

Another aspect of the invention provides integrated circuit (IC) chipthat includes a scan chain having a plurality of stages connected in achain. At least one of the plurality of stages comprises anidentification cell configured to generate an ID bit that is a functionof process variations of the IC chip, and a scan flip-flop configured toselectively receive a scan data on a scan line or the ID bit from theidentification cell.

In various embodiments of the invention, the at least one of theplurality of stages further comprises a multiplexer connecting theidentification cell and the scan line to the scan flip-flop, themultiplexer being configured to selectively pass, under the control of afirst control signal, the ID bit from the identification cell to thescan flip-flop; and a demultiplexer connecting an output of the scanflip-flop to an identification line and the scan line that are bothconnected to a next stage of the scan chain, the demultiplexer beingconfigured to selectively pass, under the control of a second controlsignal, the output of the scan flip-flop to the identification line. Themultiplexer further connects the identification line to the scanflip-flop, and the multiplexer is further configured to pass, under thecontrol of the second control signal, the ID bit on the identificationline from a preceding stage of the scan chain to the scan flip-flop ofthe present stage.

Yet another aspect of the invention provides a system-on-chip (SoC)which comprises a plurality of logic units connected via a bus to aprocessing unit, and a plurality of identification cells dispersed in atleast one of the plurality of logic units, the plurality ofidentification cells each being configured to generate an ID bit that isa function of process variations of the SoC. The processing unit isconfigured to extract the ID bits from outputs of the plurality of logicunits and form an identification number using the extracted ID bits.

The above features and advantages and other features and advantages ofthe present invention are readily apparent from the following detaileddescription of the best modes for carrying out the invention when takenin connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and not by wayof limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings and in whichlike reference numerals refer to similar elements. All the figures areschematic and generally only show parts which are necessary in order toelucidate the invention. For simplicity and clarity of illustration,elements shown in the figures and discussed below have not necessarilybeen drawn to scale. Well-known structures and devices are shown insimplified form such as block diagrams in order to avoid unnecessarilyobscuring the present invention. Other parts may be omitted or merelysuggested.

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram that illustrates an identificationcircuit in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 depicts a schematic block diagram that illustrates anidentification cell in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 3 shows a circuit diagram that illustrates an example of a latch ofFIG. 2 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4A depicts a circuit diagram that illustrates an example of a firstbuffer of FIG. 2 in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 4B is a circuit diagram that illustrates an example of a secondbuffer in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 depicts a circuit diagram that illustrates an example of anidentification circuit in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 6 depicts a circuit diagram that illustrate an example of anintegrated circuit in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 7 depicts a timing chart that illustrates exemplary operation ofthe integrated circuit shown in FIG. 6 in accordance with an embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 8 depicts a block diagram that illustrates an example of a Systemon Chip in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, numerousspecific details are set forth in order to provide a thoroughunderstanding of the present invention. It is apparent, however, to oneskilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced withoutthese specific details or with an equivalent arrangement.

It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for thepurpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intendedto limit the scope of the invention. For example, when an element isreferred to as being “on”, “connected to”, or “coupled to” anotherelement, it can be directly on, connected or coupled to the otherelement or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when anelement is referred to as being “directly on”, “directly connected to”,or “directly coupled to” another element, there are no interveningelements present.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientificterms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by oneof ordinary skill in the art to which this present invention belongs. Itwill be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonlyused dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that isconsistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art andwill not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unlessexpressly so defined herein.

Below, respective embodiments will be described in details by referenceto the accompanying drawings. Incidentally, in all the drawings fordescribing the embodiments, the elements having the same function aregiven the same reference signs and numerals, and a repeated descriptionthereon is omitted. Further, in the following embodiments, a descriptionon the same or similar portions will not be repeated unless otherwiserequired.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic block diagram that illustrates anidentification circuit 100 in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention. Referring to FIG. 1, the identification circuit 100may include a plurality of identification cells 110-1, 110-2, . . . ,110-n, which are collectively referred to as “110” hereinafter. Each ofthe identification cells 110 may generate an identification bit “1” or“0”. The identification circuit 100 can generate an identificationnumber (ID) consisting of the plurality of identification bits. Thenumber “n” of the identification cells 110 may depend on the desirablelength of the ID number generated by the identification circuit 100.When more identification cells 110 are used, the generated ID numberwill be longer and thus be more unique.

In an example, the plurality of identification cells 110 may be placedphysically together to form a macro block. Particularly, the pluralityof identification cells 110 may be arranged side by side in series,parallel or combination of both. A read circuit may be used to read theID bits generated from the macro block. The macro block may bepositioned at a proper place on an IC die. A macro block configurationof the identification cells 110 will be discussed in detail below.

On the other hand, the plurality of identification cells 110 may bedispersed across an IC die. The ID bits generated from the respectiveidentification cells 110 may be collected and processed to form a fullID number. A dispersing configuration of the plurality of identificationcells 110 will also be discussed in detail below.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic block diagram that illustrates an example ofthe identification cell 110 in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention. Referring to FIG. 2, the identification cell 110 mayinclude a latch 120, a first buffer 130 and a second buffer 140.

Latch is a circuit that can switch between two stable states, i.e., alogic high state and a logic low state. A conventional latch has twoinputs to receive a SET input and a RESET input to set and reset thelatch's state. Latch 120 of the present embodiment, however, has noinput. The latch 120 provides only a first output “OUT” and a secondoutput “/OUT” that is opposite to the first output “OUT”. For example,when the latch 120 stabilizes in a logic low state, the first output“OUT” may be a logic “0” and the second output “/OUT” may be a logic“1”; when the latch 120 stabilizes in a logic high state, the firstoutput “OUT” may be a logic “1” and the second output “/OUT” may be alogic “0”, or vice versa.

Since the latch 120 has no input, in an ideal condition, the latch 120would assume a random state when power is applied. That is, theprobability of the latch 120 stabilizing in a logic “0” statestatistically equals the probability of the latch 120 stabilizing in alogic “1” state. In the present embodiment, however, the latch 120 isdesigned and fabricated so that the output thereof is a function offabrication process variations 10.

As technology scales, the feature size reduces thereby requiring asophisticated fabrication process. Consequently, process variationsbecome more and more significant from element-to-element and fromchip-to-chip. There are many sources of process variations. For example,transistor dimensions are the result of a random accumulation of photonsthrough the photomask and reactive ions hitting the portion to beetched. Doping levels and distributions within a transistor are theresult of a random distribution of doping atoms from thermal diffusionand ion implantation. Due to these natural, random and unpredictableprocess variations, no two transistors could be identical to each other.It is not possible to make two identical transistors even though oneproduces them by the same processes, using the same masks, in adjacentareas of the same IC die. The process variations are random and normallydistributed. Designers have long been aware of the effect of such randomprocess variations on the behavior of transistors and other IC circuitelements, and have taken them into account when designing ICs. A good ICdesign ensures that all copies of an IC behave as expected even thoughthe transistors and other circuit elements forming the ICs exhibit arandom variation in operating characteristics from one element toanother and from one chip to another.

While such random process variations have been a problem that ICdesigners need to overcome, the present invention takes advantage of thevariations, and makes a good use of them. In particular, the processvariations 10, which may be any process variations as discussed above,can cause variations in physical microstructures of elements like thetransistors included in the latch 120, including channel length, channelwidth, gate length, gate width, gate thickness, dopant concentration,dopant distribution, doping depth, gate insulation layer thickness,etc., which in turn lead to variations of transistor's electricalparameters such as threshold voltage Vth, drain-source current Ids, andgate voltage Vg, among others. The parameter variations eventuallyresult in mismatch or imbalance within the latch 120. With the mismatchor imbalance, the latch 120 would not latch to the logic high state andthe logic low state at the same possibility. Instead, when power isapplied, the latch 120 will latch to a fixed logic state, converting theprocess variations 10 into a binary digit “1” or “0”. Since the mismatchor imbalance within the latch 120 is permanent, the latch 120 will latchto the same logic state every time when the power is applied. Inaddition, the process variations 10 are random with a normaldistribution, the logic states or binary digits captured by the latches120 will also be random with a normal distribution. Thus, theidentification circuit 100 can provide a unique ID number if the numberof the ID cells 110 and thus the latches 120 included in theidentification circuit 100 is sufficiently large.

To increase the influence of process variations 10 on the latch 120, inan example, the latch 120 may be manufactured with a minimum size thatthe fabrication process allows. In another example, the interconnectionswithin the latch 120 may also be formed to have minimum widths. Whenelements or circuits become smaller, the process variations 10 becomemore significant. The mismatch or imbalance introduced by the processvariations 10, in turn, change the random logic state of the latch 120into a non-random state.

Under some conditions, however, the process variations may still beinsufficient, causing the latch 120 to change its logic state when poweris applied. To address this problem, in this embodiment, the firstbuffer 130 and the second buffer 140 are provided.

Referring to FIG. 2, the first buffer 130 and the second buffer 140 arepositioned at both sides of the latch 120. In an example, the firstbuffer 130 and the second buffer 140 may be symmetrical to each otherwith respect to the latch 120. The first buffer 130 may be connected toand receive the first output “OUT” of the latch 120, and provide anoutput “ID”. The output “ID” of the first buffer 130 may be an ID bitfor generating the ID number. The second buffer 140 may be connected toand receive the second output “/OUT” of the latch 120, and may providean output “/ID”. The output “/ID” of the second buffer 140 may beopposite to the output “ID” of the first buffer 130. For example, whenthe output of the first buffer 130 is a logic high state, the output ofthe second buffer 140 is a logic low state, or vice versa.

In addition to buffering, the first buffer 130 and the second buffer 140further function to isolate the latch 120 from adjacent elements orcircuits. As discussed above, the process variations 10 may be verysmall, and the latch 120 needs to be very sensitive to detect themismatch or imbalance therein. With the continual miniaturization ofelectronic devices, however, circuit density becomes higher, and noisefrom adjacent circuits becomes a severe problem, especially for somesensitive elements like the latch 120. In the embodiment shown in FIG.2, the first buffer 130 and the second buffer 140, which are provided atboth sides of the latch 120, can effectively isolate the latch 120 fromnoise of adjacent elements or circuits. As a result, the latch 120 cancapture subtle process variations 10 and convert them into a fixed logicstate, and the latch 120 can latch to the fixed logic state every timepower is applied. In turn, the identification circuit 100 can generate aconstant ID number. Accordingly, the stability of the identificationcircuit 100 is improved. Besides, since the latch 120 is isolated fromadjacent noise, the ID cell 110 may be placed anywhere on an IC die,thereby improving the flexibility of the layout design.

In an example, similar to the latch 120, the first buffer 130 and thesecond buffer 140 may also be formed with a minimum size that thefabrication process allows. In such a case, the first buffer 130 and thesecond buffer 140 themselves will impose less impact on the latch 120,thereby further improving the stability of the ID cell 110.

FIG. 3 shows a circuit diagram that illustrates an example of the latch120 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As shownin FIG. 3, the latch 120 may include a first CMOS inverter 122 and asecond CMOS inverter 124 that are cross-coupled with each other.

Specifically, the first CMOS inverter 122 may have a PMOS transistor P1and a NMOS transistor N1. The PMOS transistor P1 has a source connectedto a power supply voltage Vdd, a drain connected to a drain of the NMOStransistor N1, and a gate connected to a gate of the NMOS transistor N1.The NMOS transistor N1 has its source connected to a ground voltage Vss.The second CMOS inverter 124 may have a PMOS transistor P2 and a NMOStransistor N2. The PMOS transistor P2 has a source connected to thesource of the PMOS transistor P1 and to the power supply voltage Vdd, adrain connected to a drain of the NMOS transistor N2, and a gateconnected to a gate of the NMOS transistor N2. The NMOS transistor N2has its source connected to the source of the NMOS transistor N1 and tothe ground voltage Vss.

The input node A1 of the first CMOS inverter 122 is connected to theoutput node B2 of the second CMOS 124, and the output node B1 of thefirst CMOS inverter 122 is connected to the input node A2 of the secondCMOS 124. With such a configuration, the output of the first CMOSinverter 122 and the output of the second CMOS inverter 124 have to beopposite to each other. The output of the first CMOS inverter 122 mayfunction as the first output “OUT” of the latch 120, and the output ofthe second CMOS 124 may function as the second output “/OUT” of thelatch 120.

The latch 120 shown in FIG. 3 is made up of four MOS transistors. Asdiscussed above, due to process variations, it is not possible to maketwo identical transistors even though they are formed by the sameprocesses, using the same masks, in adjacent areas of the same IC die.The process variations may cause variations in physical microstructuresof the MOS transistors, including channel length, channel width, gatelength, gate width, gate thickness, dopant concentration, dopantdistribution, doping depth, gate insulation layer thickness, etc., whichin turn lead to the variations of transistor electrical parameters suchas threshold voltage Vth, drain-source current Ids, gate voltage Vg,etc. The parameter variations eventually result in mismatch between thefirst CMOS inverter 122 and the second CMOS inverter 124.

Such a mismatch will be better understood from operation of the latch120, which will be discussed below. At the beginning, the power supplyvoltage Vdd is not applied. We can assume the voltage Vgs fortransistors P1, P2, N1 and N2 is about zero, so the PMOS transistors P1and P2 are in an ON state and the NMOS transistors N1 and N2 are in anOFF state. When the power supply voltage Vdd is first applied, thesources of the PMOS transistors P1 and P2 have a high voltage level, andthe gates of the PMOS transistors P1 and P2 still have a low voltagelevel, which cause the PMOS transistors P1 and P2 to turn on and beginpassing current to nodes B1 and B2, respectively. Since the NMOStransistors N1 and N2 are in an OFF state, the voltages on the nodes B1and B2 start rising or increasing.

As the voltages on the nodes B1 and B2 rise, the voltages on the nodesA1, A2 and thus on the gates of the transistors P1, P2, N1 and N2 alsorise due to the cross-coupling configuration, which makes the PMOStransistors P1, P2 trend to, or intend to, turn off and the NMOStransistors N1, N2 trend to, or intend to, turn on. Due to mismatchbetween the first CMOS inverter 122 and the second CMOS inverter 124that originates from process variations as discussed above, the voltagechange on the nodes A1 and B2 is slightly different from that on thenodes A2 and B1, which eventually leads to an imbalance within the latch120. That is, one of the first CMOS inverter 122 and the second CMOSinverter 124 will assume a logic high state, while the other one willassume a logic low state. Then, the latch 120 reach a stable state.

In contrast to an ideal condition where all transistors are identicalwithin a latch (i.e., no mismatch) and thus the latch will latch to alogic high state and a logic low state at an equal, or same,possibility, the latch 120 of this embodiment will latch to a fixedlogic state due to the mismatch between the first CMOS inverter 122 andthe second CMOS inverter 124 resulting from the process variations 10.Such fixed logic state will not change when power is applied, becausethe mismatch is permanent.

In a preferred embodiment, the latch 120 has a symmetricalconfiguration. In particular, the transistors of the first CMOS inverter122 may be positioned symmetrical to the transistors of the second CMOSinverter 124 with respect to an imaginary line SA that passes roughlythrough the center of the latch 120. In an example, the PMOS transistorP1 of the first CMOS inverter 122 may have the same size as the PMOStransistor P2 of the second CMOS inverter 124, and the NMOS transistorN1 of the first CMOS inverter 122 may have the same size as the NMOStransistor N2 of the second CMOS inverter 124. In another example, allthe transistors P1, P2, N1 and N2 of the latch 120 may have the samesize. The symmetrical configuration of the latch 120 can cancel outimpact of some environment factors such as temperature change, supplyvoltage swing, and process corner etc., because the impact will be thesame on the transistors that sense the mismatch, thereby reducing oravoiding interference from the environment where the chip operates.

As known to a skilled artisan in the field, modern technology focuses onreducing process variations and therefore fabricating identical elementsor circuits. Transistors within an IC die are usually fabricated in thesame steps, and thus the process variations 10 may be very small. If theprocess variations 10 are insufficient, the output of the latch 120 maybe random, causing the identification circuit 100 unstable. In apreferred embodiment of the present invention, all the transistors ofthe latch 120 are designed to have a minimum size that the fabricationprocess allows. Smaller transistors are typically affected more byprocess variations, resulting a bigger mismatch within the latch 120.Consequently, the latch 120 will latch to a fixed logic state “1” or “0”every time when power is applied, thereby improving stability of theidentification circuit 100.

FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B show examples of the first buffer 130 and the secondbuffer 140, respectively, in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention. Referring to FIGS. 4A and 4B, the first buffer 130may include a third CMOS inverter 132, and the second buffer 140 mayinclude a fourth CMOS inverter 142. The third CMOS inverter 132 mayinclude a PMOS transistor P3 and a NMOS transistor N3. The PMOStransistor P3 has a source connected to the power supply voltage Vdd, adrain connected to a drain of the NMOS transistor N3, and a gateconnected to a gate of the NMOS transistor N3. The NMOS transistor N3has its source connected to the ground voltage Vss. The fourth CMOSinverter 142 may include a PMOS transistor P4 and a NMOS transistor N4.The PMOS transistor P4 has a source connected to the power supplyvoltage Vdd, a drain connected to a drain of the NMOS transistor N4, anda gate connected to a gate of the NMOS transistor N4. The NMOStransistor N4 has its source connected to the ground voltage Vss.

The input node A3 of the third CMOS inverter 132 is connected to thefirst output node B1 of the latch 120, and the output node B3 of thethird CMOS inverter 132 may provide an identification bit “ID”, whichhas a logic level opposite to the first output “OUT” of the latch 120.The input node A4 of the fourth CMOS inverter 142 is connected to thesecond output node B2 of the latch 120, and the output node B4 of thefourth CMOS inverter 142 may provide an identification bit “/ID”, whichhas a logic level opposite to the second output “/OUT” of the latch 120.

With reference to FIGS. 2, 4A and 4B, the third CMOS inverter 132 andthe fourth CMOS inverter 142 may be positioned at both sides of thelatch 120. In this embodiment, as discussed above, the third CMOSinverter 132 and the fourth CMOS inverter 142 can effectively isolatethe latch 120 from noise of adjacent elements or circuits. Therefore,the latch 120 and thus the identification cell 110 can latch to a fixedlogic state when power is applied, no matter where it is placed on theIC die. Further, this configuration can also improve flexibility of thelayout design.

In a preferred embodiment, the third CMOS inverter 132 and the fourthCMOS inverter 142 may be symmetrical to each other with respect to thelatch 120. In an example, the identification cell 110, which includesthe latch 120 and the third and fourth CMOS inverters 132, 142, may besymmetrical with respect to the imaginary line SA that passes roughlythrough the center thereof. As discussed above, the symmetricalconfiguration can reduce impact of environment variations on the latch120, because the impact will be the same on the transistors and thuswill be canceled out.

In an example, like the latch 120, the transistors of the third andfourth CMOS inverters 132 and 142 may also have a minimum size that thefabrication process allows. In this case, the third and fourth CMOSinverters 132 and 142 themselves will impact less on the latch 120. Inanother example, the transistors of the third and fourth CMOS inverters132 and 142 may have a feature size larger than that of the latch 120.In this case, the third and fourth CMOS inverters 132 and 142 can readout the logic state of the latch 120 more quickly, and theidentification cell 110 can run faster.

In the embodiments discussed above, the identification cell 110 includesfour CMOS inverters. i.e., eight MOS transistors. Since theidentification cell 110 is formed of only transistors, it does not needany additional mask, etching or doping step(s). In this regard, theidentification circuit 100 of the present invention does not add anyadditional cost. Further, because the identification cell 110 includesonly four CMOS inverters, the power consumption thereof is nearlynegligible.

Returning to FIG. 1, with the plurality of identification cells 110discussed above, the identification circuit 100 may generate anidentification number (ID) with a desirable length. For example, 64identification cells 110 may be used to generate an ID number having 64bits. Using more identification cells 110 is beneficial for enhancingthe uniqueness of the ID number. The number of the identification cells110 used within the identification circuit 100 for an IC chip may bedecided based on the desired length of the ID number.

FIG. 5 shows a schematic diagram that illustrates an example of anidentification circuit 200 in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention. As shown in FIG. 5, the identification circuit 200includes a plurality of identification cells 110 arranged in an m×narray so as to form a macro block.

Referring to FIG. 5, the identification circuit 200 includes word linesWL1, WL2, . . . , WLn that extend in a first direction, for example, ahorizontal direction, and bit lines BL1, BL2, . . . , BLm that extend ina second direction intersecting the first direction, for example, avertical direction. The plurality of identification cells 110 may bepositioned near intersections of the word lines and the bit lines andconnected via a switch transistor SW to the neighboring word and bitlines. The switch transistor SW may have a first current terminalconnected to the output of the identification cell 110, a second currentterminal connected to the bit line BL, and a control terminal connectedto the word line WL.

As discussed above, the identification cell 110 may have two outputterminals, i.e., the first output terminal providing “ID” and the secondoutput terminal providing “/ID”. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, onlyone of the first and second output terminals is connected, and the otherone may be suspended. The output terminal of the identification cell 110connected to the bit line BL may be either the “ID” terminal or the“/ID” terminal. In another embodiment, the identification circuit 200may include additional m bit lines and both of the “ID” terminal and the“/ID” terminal of the identification cell 100 are connected to the bitlines BL. In such an embodiment, for example, the output “ID” and theoutput “/ID” of an identification cell 110 may be used to check whetherthe identification cell 110 operates properly. If the output “ID” has alogic state opposite to that of the output “/ID”, the identificationcell 110 works well; otherwise, the identification cell 110 ismalfunctioning.

The identification circuit 200 may further include a controller 210 anda decoder 220. The controller 210 may control operation of theidentification circuit 200. Although not shown in FIG. 5, theidentification circuit 200 may further include power supply lines andground lines to apply power to the respective identification cells 110.

In operation, the controller 210 may control the power supply lines toapply power to the identification cells 110, and the identification cell110 may develop a fixed logic state in response to the power. Under thecontrol of the controller 210, the word lines WL1-WLn and the bit linesBL1-BLm may be selected sequentially so that the logic state of therespective identification cells 110 may be read out by the decoder 220.The decoder 220 may output a full identification number by using theidentification bits from the respective identification cells 110.

Although not shown, the word lines WL1-WLn and the bit lines BL1-BLm maybe further connected to ground through transistors. Before power isapplied to the identification cells 110, the controller 210 may turn onsuch transistors so that the word lines WL1-WLn and the bit linesBL1-BLm can all be pulled down to ground. It may prevent or eliminateany interference from the word lines WL1-WLn and the bit lines BL1-BLmto the identification cells 110, thereby improving stability of theidentification circuit 200, especially when process variations are verysmall.

FIG. 5 has shown the embodiment where the identification cells 110 areplaced together forming a macro block. As mentioned above, theidentification cells 110 may also be dispersed anywhere on an IC die.FIG. 6 shows such an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 6, an integrated circuit 300 includes a plurality ofidentification cells 110 that are discretely inserted into a scan chain310. Scan chain has been widely used in modern IC designs for rapid testand debug purposes. The scan chain 310 includes a number of chain stages301 that are arranged in a serial fashion, and each stage 301 mayinclude a typical scan flip-flops 312. The typical scan flip-flop 312may have a “ScanIn” terminal to receive scan data, a “ScanEn” terminalto receive a scan enable signal, a “Data” terminal to receive externaldata, and a “clk” terminal to receive a clock signal. When the scanenable signal is asserted on the ScanEn terminal, the scan flip-flop 312will accept scan data on the ScanIn terminal on the next edge of theclock signal, and when the scan enable signal is deasserted, the scanflip-flop 312 will accept external data on the Data terminal on the nextedge of the clock signal. The scan flip-flop 312 provides output at theterminal Q to a next stage of the chain. With such a configuration, thescan chain 310 can receive known scan data at the ScanIn terminal of thefirst scan flip-flop 312 and provide scan output at the Q terminal ofthe final scan flip-flop 312.

As shown in FIG. 6, the scan chain 310 may further include a multiplexer314 at each stage 301 thereof. The multiplexer 314 may have a firstinput terminal to receive an identification bit from the identificationcell 110, a second input terminal to receive an identification bit on anidentification line 318 from a preceding stage 301, and a third inputterminal to receive scan data on a scan line 322 from the precedingstage 301. The multiplexer 314 may be controlled by a first controlsignal IDen and a second control signal IDrd. When the first controlsignal IDen is asserted, the multiplexer 314 passes the ID bit from theidentification cell 100 to the scan flip-flop 312; when the secondcontrol signal IDrd is asserted, the multiplexer 314 passes the ID biton the identification line 318 from the preceding stage 301 to the scanflip-flop 312; when the first and second control signals IDen, IDrd areboth deasserted, the multiplexer 314 passes the scan data on the scanline to the scan flip-flop 312.

The scan chain 310 may further include a demultiplexer 316 at each stage301 thereof. The demultiplexer 316 may have an input connected to theoutput terminal Q of the scan flip-flop 312, and two outputs connectedto the identification line 318 and the scan line 322 to the next stage301, respectively. A combinational logic 320 may be connected in thescan line 322. The demultiplexer 316 is controlled by the second controlsignal IDrd.

The scan flip-flop 312 can receive the ID bit from the identificationcell 110 or from the identification line 318, and the scan data from thescan line 322; and output the ID bit and the scan data through the sameoutput terminal Q. That is, the ID bit and the scan data share the sameoutput terminal Q. To separate the ID bit and the scan data from eachother, the demultiplexer 316 is connected to the output terminal Q. Whenthe second control signal IDrd is asserted, the ID bit stored in thescan flip-flop 312 will be passed through the demultiplexer 316 to theidentification line 318. When the second control signal IDrd isdeasserted, the scan data stored in the scan flip-flop 312 will bepassed through the demultiplexer 316 to the scan line 322 and in turn tothe combinational logic 320.

FIG. 7 depicts a timing chart that illustrates exemplary operation ofthe integrated circuit 300 shown in FIG. 6 in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention. Now the operation of the integratedcircuit 300 will be discussed with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7.

At the beginning, the power supply voltage Vdd is applied to theintegrated circuit 300, and the plurality of identification cells 110each develop a fixed logic state. Then, the first control signal IDen isasserted, which allows the multiplexer 314 to pass the ID bits from theidentification cells 110 to the respective scan flip-flops 312. At theend of the IDen pulse, each scan flip-flop 312 is fixed to an ID bit.

Next, the second control signal IDrd is asserted. With the IDrd signalon, the ID bit latched in the scan flip-flop 312 is shifted through thedemultiplexer 316, the identification line 318, the multiplexer 314eventually to the scan flip-flop 312 of the next stage 301. Using theclock pulses, the shifting operation repeats many times, and all the IDbits get read out from the output terminal Q of the final scan flip-flop312 of the scan chain 310.

Since the identification cells 110 are very small, and they aredispersed into the scan chain 310, the identification cells 110 needalmost no extra silicon real-estate. As compared to embodiments wherethe identification cells 110 form a macro block, the embodiment shown inFIG. 6 may save the die area more, and facilitate miniaturization of thechips. In addition, the identification cells 110 can utilize theinput/output (I/O) circuit of the scan chain 310, which eliminates theneed of a dedicated I/O circuit for the identification cells 110.Therefore, it may further reduce the cost of the chip.

Scan chain is merely a particular application of the identificationcells of the present invention. It would be apparent for those skilledin the art that the identification cells may also be used in othercircuits or systems. FIG. 8 shows an example of such systems, system400.

Referring to FIG. 8, the system 400 may be, for example, a System onChip (SoC) that includes a plurality of logic units, such as logic units402, 404 and 406. Although three logic units 402-406 are shown in FIG.8, the SoC 400 may include more or less logic units. Each logic unit402-406 may include an I/O circuit and it may be connected to a bus 410through the I/O circuit. A processing unit 420 is also connected to thebus 410. The bus 410 may transfer data between the logic units 404-406and between the units 404-406 and the processing unit 420.

A plurality of identification cells 110 may be dispersed among theplurality of logic units 402-406. The identification cells 110 maydisperse in at least one of the plurality of logic units 402-406. Inother words, one or more of plurality of logic units 402-406 may includeno identification cell 110. For the logic units 402-406, each mayinclude a different number of the identification cells 110.

The identification cell(s) 110 included in the logic unit may share theI/O circuit of the logic unit. Then, the identification cell 110 maysend its ID bit through the I/O circuit and the bus 410 to theprocessing unit 420. The processing unit 420 may receive outputs fromthe plurality of logic units 402-406 and extract the ID bits containedtherein. The processing unit 420 may rearrange the ID bits in accordancewith where the ID bits come from and form a full ID number. If aplurality of identification cells 110 are included in one logic unit,the ID bits generated in the logic unit may form a data block and thenthe logic unit outputs the data block. The processing unit 420 mayrearrange the data blocks from the respective logic units. In anotherexample, the ID bits may be encoded with addresses before they areoutputted from the logic units to the processing unit 420, and theprocessing unit 420 may rearrange the ID bits in accordance with theiraddresses.

In the embodiment of FIG. 8, the identification cells 110 are dispersedamong the plurality of logic units of the SoC 400. In addition toadvantages discussed above, the identification cells 110 may also servefor circuit diagnosis. Typically, the SoC 400 may include many logicunits. If ID bits from a certain unit are missing or mismatching, it canbe supposed that a malfunction occurs in the unit. Therefore, the IDbits can be used to locate defective circuits quickly. Besides, such aconfiguration may further ensure integrity of the SoC 400. This isuseful for IC protection and combating IC counterfeit.

The identification circuit, the integrated circuit (IC) chip, and thesystem-on-chip (SoC) of the present invention may be produced with anysuitable methods and materials known to a skilled person in thesemiconductor industry, which will be not be repeated in thisdisclosure.

In the foregoing specification, embodiments of the present inventionhave been described with reference to numerous specific details that mayvary from implementation to implementation. The specification anddrawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather thana restrictive sense. The sole and exclusive indicator of the scope ofthe invention, and what is intended by the applicant to be the scope ofthe invention, is the literal and equivalent scope of the set of claimsthat issue from this application, in the specific form in which suchclaims issue, including any subsequent correction.

1. An identification circuit (100) for generating an identificationnumber (ID), the identification circuit including a plurality ofidentification cells (110) each comprising: a latch (120) having a firstoutput and a second output that are opposite to each other, the firstoutput and the second output being a function of process variations ofthe identification circuit; and a first buffer (130) and a second buffer(140) provided on both sides of the latch and connected to the firstoutput and the second output of the latch, respectively.
 2. Theidentification circuit of claim 1, wherein the plurality ofidentification cells disperses on an integrated circuit (IC) die.
 3. Theidentification circuit of claim 1, wherein the first buffer and thesecond buffer are symmetrical to each other with respect to the latch.4. The identification circuit of claim 1, wherein the first buffer has asize same as the second buffer.
 5. The identification circuit of claim1, wherein the first buffer and the second buffer have a feature sizeequal to or larger than that of the latch.
 6. The identification circuitof claim 1, wherein the first buffer includes a first CMOS inverter(132).
 7. The identification circuit of claim 6, wherein the secondbuffer includes a second CMOS inverter (142).
 8. The identificationcircuit of claim 7, wherein the first CMOS inverter has a size same asthe second CMOS inverter.
 9. The identification circuit of claim 7,wherein the transistors included in the first CMOS inverter have a sizesame as the transistors included in the second CMOS inverter.
 10. Theidentification circuit of claim 7, wherein the transistors of the firstCMOS inverter are positioned symmetrical to the transistors of thesecond CMOS inverter with respect to the latch.
 11. The identificationcircuit of claim 1, wherein the latch includes a third CMOS inverter(122) and a fourth CMOS inverter (124) that are cross-coupled with eachother, and the third CMOS inverter and the fourth CMOS inverter have thesame size.
 12. The identification circuit of claim 11, wherein thetransistors included in the third CMOS inverter are positionedsymmetrical to the transistors included in the fourth CMOS inverter withrespect to an imaginary line that passes roughly through the center ofthe latch, and all the transistors included in the latch are formed witha minimum size that the process of forming the identification circuitallows.
 13. An integrated circuit (IC) chip (300) with an identificationnumber (ID), the IC chip including a scan chain (310) having a pluralityof stages (301) connected in a chain, at least one of the plurality ofstages comprising: an identification cell (110) configured to generatean ID bit that is a function of process variations of the IC chip; and ascan flip-flop (312) configured to selectively receive a scan data on ascan line (322) or the ID bit from the identification cell.
 14. The ICchip of claim 13, wherein the at least one of the plurality of stagesfurther comprises a multiplexer (314) connecting the identification cell(110) and the scan line (322) to the scan flip-flop (312), and whereinthe multiplexer (314) is configured to selectively pass, under thecontrol of a first control signal (IDen), the ID bit from theidentification cell (110) to the scan flip-flop.
 15. The IC chip ofclaim 14, wherein the at least one of the plurality of stages furthercomprises a demultiplexer (316) connecting an output (Q) of the scanflip-flop to an identification line (318) and the scan line (322) thatare both connected to a next stage of the scan chain, and wherein thedemultiplexer is configured to selectively pass, under the control of asecond control signal (IDrd), the output of the scan flip-flop to theidentification line (318).
 16. The IC chip of claim 15, wherein themultiplexer (314) further connects the identification line (318) to thescan flip-flop, and the multiplexer is further configured to pass, underthe control of the second control signal (IDrd), the ID bit on theidentification line from a preceding stage of the scan chain to the scanflip-flop of the present stage.
 17. The IC chip of claim 13, wherein theidentification cell comprises: a latch having a first output and asecond output that are opposite to each other, the first output and thesecond output being a function of process variations of the IC chip; anda first buffer and a second buffer provided on both sides of the latchand connected to the first output and the second output of the latch,respectively.
 18. A system-on-chip (SoC) comprising: a plurality oflogic units connected via a bus to a processing unit; and a plurality ofidentification cells dispersed in at least one of the plurality of logicunits, each of the plurality of identification cells being configured togenerate an ID bit that is a function of process variations of the SoC;wherein the processing unit is configured to extract the ID bits fromoutputs of the plurality of logic units and to form an identificationnumber using the extracted ID bits.
 19. The SoC of claim 18, whereineach of the plurality of logic units includes an input/output (I/O)circuit, and the identification cells dispersed in the logic unit sharethe I/O circuit.
 20. The SoC of claim 18, wherein at least one of theplurality of logic units includes a plurality of identification cellsdispersed therein, and the ID bits generated by the plurality ofidentification cells are output from the at least one logic unit as adata block.